Chets Computer Problem

Look folks, I don't know anybody named Chet, I just needed a name and Chet came up, probably because I was thinking of a vampire cat in a Christopher Moore book, actually this one! Anyway, "Chets" computer was acting up and I decided to help. The complaints:

• We can't download Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 beta
• We can't download Microsoft service pack 3 for Windows XP
• We can't turn on Microsoft Security Essentials

Man, does that sound like Waaaah! or what? Or whatnot. So, hmmm. Okay, don't download and install a beta piece of software because its a "beta" piece of software! Beta means "not done"! Clue! For those not aware, it goes like this: Alpha, Beta and then RC (release candidate). Beta is a uncooked muffin! Duh! Anyhow, all those "we can't s" add up to, you guessed it, we got trouble. The reason we can't do anything is viruses shut down Internet Explorer and that's the pipeline to the Internet. We need to fix that and the way to fix it is with SneakerNet.

This is an old method, but it works. As I see it, Internet Explorer 9 beta is out, but Internet Explorer 8 is in because it's a stable release and not "beta". First though, is Microsoft service pack 3 for Windows XP, which precedes I.E.8 and is more of a "foundation" type of thing as it fixes holes in the operating system. That software can be found here ( or search for this "xp service pack 3 stand alone", using a different, healthy computer, I downloaded Service pack 3 and put it on a thumb drive and for good measure, downloaded I.E. 8 and put that on the derive as well. I then walked over to the other computer and put the thumb drive into the USB slot and accessed the programs I downloaded. In order, I did this:

1. Installed Microsoft Service Pack 3 for XP from the thumb drive
2. Installed Internet Explorer 8 from the same thumb drive
3. After Internet Explorer 8 was installed, Microsoft Security Essentials began to work normally, so I updated and scanned with that and found over 200 assorted nasties.

SneakerNet

I know it's 2011, but I think that SneakerNet is still relevant. For those that don't know what SneakerNet is, it's this: Ethernet without the cables, wireless Ethernet without the radio signal.  Let me explain. This technology is archaic, but still relevant, simply because it gets the job done. SneakerNet is the act of downloading something, meaning data, from one computer onto hand held media (thumb drives, flash based cards, cd's, dvd's, external hard drives and even, gasp, floppy disks) and walking to another computer and transferring that "something" to the second computer! Since many people, when walking, tend to wear "sneakers", geeks and nerds being, well, geeks and nerds, decided that "sneakers" was the network, the transferring agent, to get data from point "A" to point "B". Thus was born, SneakerNet!

Coby ILO flash based MP3 player skips

My friends told me his MP3 player skips and I found that hard to believe because it's flash based, meaning there's no CD-ROM to skip but I said I'd take a look. After thinking about it I realized what the problem might be. These things are like SD cards or CF cards and when sectors go bad the built in controller marks them as bad. That may cause a skip. I hooked it up to my computer and took all the songs off and then formatted the device. Afterwords, I copied most of the songs back but not all. The reason here is that as a photographer, I know its a bad thing to fill a memory card to capacity. Sometimes the card ends up unreadable. Proof in the pudding, it hasn't skipped once since that little bit of therapy. It was a Coby "iLo" like "I low price"! Cheap, but still working.
Search Amazon.com for coby

Installing and Using Dropbox

I should just call this post using dropbox because there's not much to installing it. For that matter, there's not much to using it either. You download a file, install said file and then you drop files into the "dropbox" that appears on your desktop. You can access the files in your dropbox from any computer connected to the internet or a smartphone. Simply put, this is a way to share or have access to your files from anywhere at anytime. When I say access, I mean you can add to your account, copy, delete whatever! Did I mention it's free?(up to 2 GB) It does require an email and a password. Dropbox! Pick it up!

Blogger, Google Thyself!

Who doesn't love a quote from the bible? I'm gonna guess Atheists!
Of course, the correct quote is "Physician, heal thyself".

Actually what I meant by the title is that bloggers or just regular old people should Google themselves once or twice a year. My, that doesn't sound nice. Oh, why don't you just go Google yourself! Dirty! But it can be a good idea. Let me explain. I recently Googled my name and was reminded that I had submitted some pictures to the ODNR. They never notified me about them using them but I wouldn't know if I didn't Google me(the pictures are here, at the bottom and here). I also now know there's a fellow in Wisconsin who shares my name and owns a bar there, the "5th Quarter Sports Bar and Grill" (free meals? I doubt it). I understand this isn't earth shaking but you should know about you even if its not you. How is your name being used or portrayed? What if you see something that leads you to think your identity has been stolen? Lost relatives? I'm sure you get the point.
So, don't take this the wrong way, but why don't you just go Google yourself!

Birth of a Website

I've been busy putting together a website for NCFCP.org, a non profit. This process can be intensive and takes lots of cooperation. The steps are:

1. Identify a URL and register it
2. Come up with a mission statement
3. In this case, look at templates available
4. Choose a template
5. Since it's a template, go through the motions of filling in the blanks.
6. Pictures, info, links
7. Publish
8. Update

This was a week long process that required numerous emails back and forth but resulted in what we think is a good site with good intentions.

Compaq Presario F579WM Notebook

I recently fixed this laptop and it wasn't easy. It experienced spontaneous reboots, BSDs (blue screen of death)  and was generally possessed. The exorcism wasn't easy and took too much time. This was definitely one of the harder problems I've faced. Whats irritating is that it seemed to come down to a memory problem and I diagnosed this previously over the phone in January on a laptop from HP which owns Compaq! Memory issues are insidious because they are hard to track down and cause lockups and reboots which foul up the hard drive and make the problem worse. After removing the problem module and fixing the problems on the hard drive, I was able to run the restore program built in and recover the operating system (Vista) from the hidden partition designed for this event.

Problems Opening M.S. Office files

Many people are experiencing issues when trying to open files that were created in M.S. Office. There are 2 sides to this issue.
If you are the creator of files, say your resume and you want to send them to somebody, try following these rules:

• Try to find out what program the receiver of the files is going to use to open the files. The reason is simple. Microsoft has a few versions of their office suite and there are incompatibilities.
• Save the files in the format that matches the target systems office product. (Office 2003. etc.)
• If there is a problem, save and send it in an earlier version. (Office 97 instead of Office 2003)
• Caution: saving a Word file(.doc) into a text file(.txt) will lose all formatting(fonts, color, etc.).
• Consider using the .RTF(rich text format). It's kind of dumbing down if you have Office, but it's kind of universal and if the target system has Windows it will be opened by Wordpad.(everyone has it)

If you're on the recieving end here are a few tips and links:

• Know the programs that are installed on your computer. This will possibly avoid any confusion.
• If you are going to have to change(edit) the files that are sent to you, you will need an Office program. Consider buying M.S. Office or using OpenOffice. It's free and on the Kiss List.
• If you're just receiving files and just need to look at them, go to Microsoft. Word, Excel and PowerPoint viewers are available and free of charge. (okay, there's a problem with this technique because my links from the kisslist won't work and curiously neither will microsofts, generated from there own website! Maybe they'll fix this, but I don't know). Oohh! I found it by searching with, you guessed it GOOGLE! Excel, Word and PowerPoint ! If these links break in the future just go to GOOGLE and search for "word viewer" etc.

In closing, remember to be careful when working with files that are important. Make a copy of the original file and open it with an untested program. That way you always have the original. Understand file formats. Files ending in .txt , .doc and .rtf are word processor files, files ending in .xls , .xlsx and .wks are spread sheet files. This link may help with understanding formats.

Computer or Pool Maintenance

Weird title huh? Not really because everyone wants to use a pool/computer, but nobody wants to clean it when it gets dirty. I understand, I do, but it's got to be done. Let's identify the state of your problem.

How frequently and what do you do with your computer/pool:

• Rarely. If you're a light user, hardly ever install programs, surf the web once or twice a week, you won't need much maintenance. It's like having a neighbor who has a pool just to let everyone know they can have it, but never uses it. It drives you crazy, but the pool man hardly ever comes over.
• Sometimes. Heavy use on the weekends, maybe a stray Milky Way bobbing here and there. Somebody peed in the pool! Okay, I'm out of control with the pool metaphor, but it's working for me, so buckle up!You install programs as you see fit and rip MP3's but, you use account control and have 1 antivirus and at least 2 anti spyware programs installed.
• Heavy. Multiple users, no account control, if a leaf fell on your keyboard, you'd try to install it. If your computer was a pool, the water would  be green and brown, it would smell and nobody would want to use it. Your anti virus is out of date and you don't know or care about spyware. But, you're willing to click on a link that says you can see Jessica Simpson naked. (Jessica Simpson will never appear naked, for Gods sake! Her dad's a preacher). I will eat this blog if she ever does!

Choose the word that best describes your usage pattern from the above and lets move on.

Epson Stylus NX515 Printer

We bought a new printer today. One of the reasons we chose this model was because it's wireless(1 less wire works for me). One reason was it wasn't a Lexmark as I don't care for them. Lastly. our HP was running through ink like a crack whore on ice! Fast! I mean really fast!

The setup was easy, unlike what people said on Bestbuys reviews, where we didn't buy it because the only location in the tri-state area was Columbus. So we went to our Friendly neighborhood Microcenter, where the nice man tried to sell me a USB cable. "It's wireless", I said. Said Nice Man, "still, sometimes you still need a cable". "Got one", I replied. Oh, by the way, Didn't need one, Nice Man!

Wubi - Ubuntu Installer

I'm going to install Ubuntu on Box3(my third computer, expendable) using Wubi! Be right back.

1. Started Firefox at 6:40
   
2. Clicked on Wubi 
3. Clicked on download now
4. Started download at 6:52
5. Ended download at 7:32
   
6. Double click on wubi.exe (where ever you downloaded it to)
   
7. You get a box with options. Select a size on your hard drive for the install. I had 26 GB free space. Wubi suggested 14 GB. I gave it 8 GB.
8. Then enter a password and click install.
9. My firewall (Comodo) asked for permission to continue. I granted it, but Wubi aborted.
10. double clicked on wubi.exe again. 
11. And now wubi say's to uninstall click here. I uninstalled.
12. Windows Security popped up. I chose unblock.
13. Asked to reboot and I rebooted
14. After rebooting, you have 2 choices. I chose Ubuntu
15. At 7:38 I chose to let the computer sit. It's at a text screen that looks like DOS but isn't.
16. It was locked up. I did a hardware reset(turned off the switch at the back of the computer) and restarted.
    
17. Again I chose Ubuntu and it went further and I walked away. (sometimes the best thing)


18. This a hoot! it's installing!


19. The Ubuntu system restarted at the end of the installation.


20. I was able to boot into the Ubuntu system no problem.


21. After using Ubuntu, I rebooted and went right back to Windows XP
    

Busy, busy, busy

1. Installed Google voice on my blackberry .
2. Fixed "playing with ice and food coloring", Dan told me the link for the rest of the pictures didn't work.
3. To fix the above, I had to create the gallery on Pikshures in order to have a place to link to.
4. Helped Sheriff Killroy (Al Porter) by creating a MySpace page (for musicians) for him. It's located here.
5. Looked for and found Grumpy's Cafe. This place is right around the corner from La Bodega in Tremont. It's our next place targeted to check out food wise.

Google Voice Installation on a Blackberry 8130

I was granted a Google Voice number a while back but never installed it on my Blackberry. Lets fix that. I went to iGoogle with my phone and started the download at 4:53. The entire process was done at 5:09. Part of the delay was my fault for not remembering the right email and password. Doh!

Personal Antivirus, Personal Security Virus etc. etc. etc.

This family of crap goes by many names because when it gets found out they change it up to avoid detection. If you have this problem follow the procedures listed here to the letter and things should get better. Sky had this problem and was able to clear it up after a couple tries. The following are suggestions on how to protect yourself:

• There have been issues lately with Internet Explorer. Use a different browser like Firefox or Chrome.
• If you are prompted to "update flash player", DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! Instead, open up a new window or tab and type in Adobe or Flash and download from there. This is similar to calling your bank back if they call asking for your social security number. If you want the NFL go to the NFL!
• The above also applies to updating Java. Java is made by Sun. Go to them.
• Be suspicious. If my computer is infected, the virus can send emails from my address book with to you. Sometimes a "hey, did you send me an email?" call can save you some grief.
• Keep your computer updated. This means all patches, updates, virus definitions for all programs.
  
• Click Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs and go through whats installed on your computer. If you see something you don't recognize, get suspicious.
• You must have 1 antivirus program. Only 1.
• You should have 2 anti spyware programs.
  

Out of three people I talked to today who reported problems, Facebook, email, youtube and trojans(viruses) were a reoccurring theme. Email is the number 1 way to get a virus. Remember that. There's an old saying that goes, "keep your hooks sharp and your powder dry". It means be prepared.

D-Link DIR -615, Sky

I know I recently recommended Linksys to Sky before for a router, but for around $40 you can buy the  D-Link DIR -615, and it's a 802.11n, as well as, 802.11g and 802.11b, device. This means that even if your wireless laptops or whatnots are g or "heavens to Betsy" b, this product will work for you when you decide to upgrade.

Helping Al P. #2

Als computer quit working right again. Here are the steps I went through to find and fix the problem

1. The screen was displaying messages
2. I determined the messages were O.S.D.(on screen display)coming from the monitor
3. I popped in a Knoppix ver. 5.1 Live cd and rebooted
4. The computer worked fine
5. I took the hard drive out and tried to image it. It stopped at 77%.
6. I took the hard drive out and tried to clone it. It stopped at 77%.
7. I attempted to run error checking on it. It froze.
8. The hard drive is bad.
9. No operating system disk. I installed Kubuntu.
10. I didn't like the way Kubuntu worked.
11. I had to boot into Win 98 and get rid of the partitions(seemed the easiest) and start over.
12. It wouldn't read the Ubuntu cd, the laser seemed weak.
13. Let the computer sit for awhile. The laser warmed up, installed Ubuntu.

Skys Email Problem and the personal security virus

Sky, I've got some resources for you. I would do things in this order:

1. Make sure you have antivirus software, update it and run
   
2. Go to the link below from Beeping Computers for information about Personal Security Virus
3. Do everything in the exact order on their guide
4. Run Hijack This for good measure
5. Run antivirus software again just to be sure

Here's some links that will help:

• Hijack This is for the internet explorer problem
• I've heard good things about Malwarebytes anti-malware. I've also used it myself and it works
• Bleeping Computer has a great guide for the removal of Personal Security

Good luck Sky!

Helping Al K. - HP DV5 laptop

Al had a problem with his laptop that turned out to be related to a memory module. I guessed that the module may have worked itself loose. The link below explains how to insert memory modules.
Hey Al, this video from youtube may help.

Helping Rob - LG DVD Drive

Rob has a problem with his new DVD burner. He say's everything works fine until his computer goes to sleep. After he wakes it up, the DVD is gone! If he goes to My Computer The drive letter is gone also. One possible fix is drastic, but may work. This involves editing the registry so be careful and back it up. Then:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11­CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

1. Click on the start menu.
2. Type in “regedit” without the quotation marks.
3. Maximize the HKLM and then go ahead and browse until you reach the key listed above.
4. In the right panel you’ll see something along the lines of “UpperFilter” and “LowerFilter”. You want to click on each “filter” key and hit delete. Click yes when it asks to confirm if you wish to delete the key.
5. Restart Windows.

The above info was copied and edited from here. Please comment if this worked or not.

Google Voice

I've been busy and forgot to mention that a few weeks I was asked to join Google Voice. Among other cool things this enables me to have the widget on the right side of your screen that will connect you to me via my cell phone. The neat thing is, you won't see my number and you can choose to hide your number as well.